Legal and Policy intern

Work LocationSecretariat of the BRS Conventions Expected duration6 months: January - July 2026 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. The Basel Convention was created to protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the most comprehensive global treaty dealing with hazardous waste materials throughout their lifecycles, from production and transport to final use and disposal. The Rotterdam Convention provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention. The Stockholm Convention is to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage. Under the direct supervision of a Programme Officer in the Legal and Policy Unit of the conventions Governance Branch/Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the intern will: Primarily assist the Unit in implementing the 2026-2027 work programme of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. Tasks will include: collection of information, legal research and analysis, drafting of letters and other legal documents, such as presentations or training materials, and other tasks as may be required. Areas of work may include: Support for the preparations for, during and follow-up to the meetings of the subsidiary bodies such as compliance committees; Support the work programme of compliance committees and specific submissions; Cooperation and coordination with other international bodies; Trade and environment legal matters; Illegal traffic and enforcement of the conventions; Support to legal technical assistance and capacity building activities; Communication of legal information; National legal frameworks; Support for the preparation of publications and outreach materials; Other areas as may be assigned. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Preferred area of study: international law, including international environmental law. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.